Thank You Grandpa!!! 08/29/11

Hello family and friends,


Well... what a week it has been. It started off pretty good. We had a lesson with Trina and we committed her to be baptized on the fourth. It was cool. I was way happy and you can only imagine how ecstatic Sister Lee was because it was a first for her haha.  So we were driving down the road after and I just smiled and mumbled to myself, "thank you grandpa."  I know that Grandpa has really been helping me lately.  So anyway Trina didn't come to church yesterday so she fell off date to be baptized.  So pray really hard for us because we are teaching her again tonight.  Then yesterday another Miracle happened.  Rick who I told you about a few weeks ago who has a hard time seeing why God lets bad things happen.  He showed up to church!  It was a huge miracle!  And he seemed to like it.  So also the other day I was tracting with a split, and we tracted into this lady who grew up a member of the church but hasn't been since she was fifteen.  And she wasn't interested but she said that her daughter was.  So I said okay how old is your daughter?  And she said eleven!  I love that number haha.  So anyway the next day we took her daughter on a church tour and she came to all three hours of church yesterday and loved it!  She said that she was going to come every week.  So we have an amazing family in the ward who is going to fellowship her and bring her.  So that is way cool.  And then last night another amazing member called and said that she had a referral for us, and so we have an appointment with them tomorrow night.  So pray really hard that the lessons will go good and we can help them feel the spirit!  So we FINALLY have a couple of people that we are teaching and it is so exciting!  I know that it is because we have had a lot of faith and diligence.  And because my Grandpa kept his promise.  I really miss him but I am thankful that I can feel his presence with me.  The weather the past few weeks has been good, but it is starting to get dreary again so hopefully we can all stay positive haha sometimes it is so hard with the constant gloomy weather.  But we will be okay. Allyson, Marilyn, Carol, and Mom, thank you so much for your mail this week.  You guys are the best!  I am working on letters back to everyone!  Also Lee Hancock you are amazing, you will never know how much your letter meant to me.  I really appreciate it!  Calee, THANK YOU so much for the package!  My comp is gluten intolerant so I got to eat the whole thing by myself haha it was so dang good.  I won't lie the past couple weeks have been good but a little tough with Grandpa and the wedding coming up, but I know that everything will be okay and that I will be okay.  Because I know that this is where the lord needs me right now!  I know that this gospel is the only true gospel on the earth today, and that it was restored by Joseph Smith. I know that our Savior lives and loves us, and that he died for us so that we can all return to live with him someday. I know that if we stay close to our Heavenly Father he will bless us, and even though we feel alone sometimes I KNOW that we are never alone.  Heavenly Father loves us to much to leave us hangin.  All we have to do is humble ourselves and ask for help.  I have seen the power of the Atonement more fully lately and I can't tell you how it has affected me. I truly am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ.  He is everything.  I am thankful for my eternal family.  I can't even tell you how much I love you!  Kelsee this week think of ways you can feel the spirit more.  And I know that this week as you prepare to go to the temple Satan will try to get in the way. But don't let him.  The temple is an amazing place and you just need to soak it all in.  Don't be nervous because it is amazing.  And I am so excited for you!  I am so proud of you sister!  I will be thinking about you all day on Thursday!  I hope you all have an amazing week!  Keep me in your prayers and know that you are all always in mine.  I love you so much!  Have a great week!

Love, Katee

Hello 08/22/11

Hello everybody!  How are you all doing?  I am doing pretty good.  We had another some what slow week until Saturday night.  Our district leader has been feeling bad for us so he was like we will come tract in your area.  Haha I was like okay come on out.  So they found this girl named Trina.  I met her about 2 months ago and at the time she just didn't seem to prepared.  So we just kind of let it be.  So the other day the elders said to go see her sometime.  So I felt like we should go that night.  I was hesitant and didn't think much would come out of it because the last time nothing happened.  So we went over this time and it was so cool. Her attitude was way different.  So I was like well what are you doing tomorrow?  Do you want to come to church?  And she said that she would!  She came to church and stayed for all three hours!  It was amazing! I was so happy.  So we now have ONE investigator!  I love it!  And sweet Sister Lee is so excited because she hasn't ever taught a real investigator.  Haha its pretty cute.  I like seeing her get excited!  So anyway... I have still been thinking a lot about my family and everything but I want you all to know that I am doing great! I have my moments but really I am fine.  I know that Grandpa is helping me out so that brings a lot of comfort.  I am working on letters so you will get some soon. I want you all to know how much I love you. I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have and I am so grateful that we will be a forever family.  I was talking to Sister Lee the other day about our neighborhood and stuff and how we are all so close like one big family.  And she said man I love your simple little Utah life.  Ha ha and I said I love it too.  Its how I picture the celestial kingdom to be!  Speaking of our ward.  I can't believe that the boundaries are changed!  That's crazy!  I HATE change.  I don't want to go to the Bernina building haha but I guess I will live. And that's cool that Hym time is in our stake.  I will like that!  Well anyway... sorry this is kind of short I don't know what else to say.  Oh L. Tom Perry was here a couple days ago and we got to hear him speak!  It was great! Sister Craig said the closing prayer so she got to meet him. That was pretty cool.  Well I hope all is well with you all and that the wedding plans are going good.  I want you all to know how much I love you and how much you mean to me!  I love this gospel and my savior Jesus Christ.  I know that he lived and died for us. And that he helps us all the time. I know that we are NEVER alone, even though it feels like it sometimes!  I love the Book of Mormon!  It is the most powerful book on earth!  Keep praying for me and I will do the same for all of you!  I love you all!  Have a great week!


Love, Katee

My Grandpa Harward 08/15/11

Hello family and friends,


Well its been a crazy hard week.  I don't really even know where to start.  First off I want to tell you about my week up until Friday.  So.... We have had a slow week once again.  I hate reporting numbers to the District Leader because it is mostly zero's.  I know that the lord will bless us soon though.  So Friday was a pretty good day.  We have been spending a lot of our time with the recent converts and less actives.  So Friday we had like 5 lessons taught to them before dinner and we were feeling pretty good about ourselves. haha.  And the sun was shining so I was happy.  So we were eating dinner with the some recent converts who are amazing!  They fed us a thanksgiving dinner.  It was definitely no Grandma Harward thanksgiving dinner but it was good.  So we get done with dinner and we were sharing a message and the phone rings.  I look down and it says Pres. Weaver.  So I excuse myself and answer the phone.  Normally we call people back but I figured it was President so I better answer.  He said "hello Sister Balmforth,  Sister Weaver and I are in your area and wondered if we could stop by and say hi to you sisters."  I was like sure president.  So we said that we would meet at the church in 10 minutes.  Now I was a little confused for two reasons.  One was because it was 5 o clock which is tracting time here in the WA TAC.  And two because President and Sister Weaver had said earlier in the week that they were going to come to our church this Sunday because they wanted to see Venus.  So I was a little confused.  So we get to the church and I thought it was going to be a quick hi in the parking lot.  But we get out and say hi and stuff and then President says "well do you have the keys to the building and we can go in and talk for a little bit?"  I was so confused!  So we go in and just start talking about our area and how we have had a hard time finding people and all this stuff.  We probably talked for like 20 minutes and then president looked at me and said "well we actually came here for a reason to talk to you..." and I hesitantly and nervously said "okay..." and he said your dad called this morning and said that your grandpa had passed away........ I immediately broke into tears and Sister Weaver just put her arm around me just like my mom would have.  She sat and held me in her arms and talked to me and told me everything that dad had said.  After a few minutes I pulled myself together and looked up and Presidents eyes were almost as wet as mine.  At that moment I knew how much they loved me and how much they cared.  My poor little companion was sobbing too.  Then President asked if I would like a blessing and I said yes.  So a few things that stuck out to me in the blessing was....He said that my grandpa was happy. And he said that my mom and grandma and my whole family would be comforted.  And he also told me that I would begin to reap the blessing in my area, and he said that heavenly father was proud of me and the work that I have done has been accepted.  That blessing was so comforting.  I have been doing good since, and it has been hard but I am good because my grandpa is happy. Colton emailed me today and said.... Grandpa has three area's... Washington, Africa, and the spirit prison!  I thought that was pretty cool and soooo true.  My grandpa is definitely on my team and I felt his presence with me on Friday night as I was tracting.  I will forever remember my amazing grandpa!  Mom here are some things you can use in your talk if you want... Grandpa loved his jazz and byu!  When he first had alzheirmers he forgot lots of stuff but he NEVER forgot when his jazz and cougars were playing!  I loved that... about a year ago I was talking about buying myself tickets to a game and grandpa walked in the room with his jazz schedule and said "pick a game and I will buy the tickets!"  Haha, my eyes got big and grandma's face looked like oh yeah you and what money grandpa haha it was classic!  Grandpa always had those little push up icee things that made our mouth blue. And he was the candy man. He always had werthers hard candy and then he eventually upgraded to wonka laffy taffy.  I remember the story of him and Kelsee playing the slap game and Kels freaked out cuz he didn't have any fingers.  And the time when he took his leg off and threw it across the room and one of the little grand kids maybe it was Adam picked it up and took it to him and said here is your leg grandpa... haha. He always complained about my dad breaking his pinkey in the temple.  And he always had coke or milk...I don't think I ever saw grandpa drink a cup of water in my whole life.  Grandpa put ketchup on EVERYTHING.  The other day I had a frozen burrito and I put ketchup on it and my companion said that is gross!  And I said no its not haha then I said you should meet my grandpa... he puts ketchup on his ketchup lol.  He liked going to the family reunions in Fillmore only if he could golf or shoot rabbits.  And he called everyone honey!  Even my daddy!  I will always remember how sweet my grandpa was.  He LOVED coming to watch me play basketball and I knew he was proud of me.  And I know that he is going to help me this week!  I love you family and friends and I hope you have a great week! STAY STRONG!  Mom and Grandma and Dad and Kels and Jodi it was so good to hear your voices on Friday! You stay Strong and know that grandpa is happy!  Brooke I got your package the day after grandpa died and I was so thankful!  I will write letters soon! I love you all.!

Love, Katee

Because I Have Been Given Much!! 08/08/11

Hello family and friends!


Okay so what a week I have had. Lets see what happened?.... Oh not much. haha. Its been a rough week. We still have NO ONE to teach and I am just praying that my Greenie does not get discouraged!  Sister Lee is great.  She is super quiet and I do most the talking so I should probably work on that. I feel like I don't know what to teach her. So Sister Jones... the lady we live with said "sometimes you just gotta teach by example, so its okay that you do everything." haha its kinda true.  I feel a little overwhelmed but I am okay.  I just keep praying every single night that we see a miracle and find someone to teach.  It hasn't happened yet but I know that it will soon. I studied about Faith this morning,  I think my faith is getting stronger but right now I feel like I don't know what to do.  Its crazy!  We feel like glorified visiting teachers because we visit members and less actives and share messages because we don't have anyone to teach. But the ward here is hopefully going to do a fast for missionary work so that will be nice and I know that it will help. Mom and Dad THANK you so much for the package! I love the CD's and Mom you are so sweet for sending that book for the guy we met!  I am so thankful for you guys!  So this week I have learned a few things! I have learned that My Savior loves me so much!  We were at a members house this past week and I shared a scripture (one of my favorites) its 3 nephi 11:14-15 and it talks about when the savior comes and visits the nephites and they feel his hands.  And I have shared this scripture hundreds of times but this time was just different.The spirit was so strong as I bore testimony of the savior! I am so thankful for my savior!  I know that he lives!  I know it with all of my heart!  I am so happy that I can be here serving him right now.  Even though it is hard sometimes... the atonement wasn't easy either so why should I complain.  I love my Heavenly Father.  I know that he hears my prayers!  I know that I will see a miracle soon!  Yesterday in church the testimony meeting was amazing.  And then the closing hymn was one of my favorites "Because Ii Have Been Given Much" as we sang that hymn yesterday my emotions were very close to the surface.  It was at that moment that I knew that the lord tries our patience sometimes but because he has given me so much I want to press forward and do his work!  This work is the most important work on the earth!  I love it so much.  It is so hard to believe that I don't have much time left!  I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life, and that I was born of goodly parents who taught me everything I needed to know.  I know that if we press forward when times get hard that Heavenly Father will bless us and he will never leave us alone! I have seen this time and time again since i have been out on a mission and i know that if we all pray and ask for help we will see our Heavenly Fathers hand in our life!  I love you all so much and I hope that you have a great week! And don't forget to PRAY! :) I will write letters soon!  I love you!

Love always,
Katee

I gots me a greenie 08/02/11

Hello family and friends!


How are you all doing!?  I am doing good.  I have had so many mixed emotions this past week.  I have so much to tell you all.  So buckle up Jazz fans because this could be a long email haha.  Okay so... the past two weeks have been weird.  We had been working our butts off and nothing was happening. I  didn't know what to do.  Every night we were coming home so exhausted... physically and spiritually.  We had no one to teach so we were doing a ton of tracting (my favorite thing in the world).  So one night we came home and I was saying my prayers.  I got down on my knees and I just pleaded with Heavenly Father with a few tears streaming down my face.  I said "Heavenly Father I am tired, Sister Fisher and I have been working so hard and nothing is happening.  I am so tired... my feet hurt and I really need to see a miracle."  So after that prayer I felt a little better and I told the Lord that I was just going to put everything in his hands.  Meanwhile we had been kind of teaching Venus and Loisa but it was hard because they can't speak English.  So we decided to call President Weaver because we knew that there was an elder from Russia serving in Tacoma.  So we call the amazing President Weaver and he says sisters we will do whatever it takes to help these people.  So last Tuesday Pres and Sister Weaver brought Elder Grachev down to the dirty South (Rochester).  And we met Venus and Loisa.  This experience was probably one of the most amazing that I have had on my mission.  I can't even describe the feeling that I felt in the room as he was teaching in Russian.  No one but Venus and Loisa could understand anything but we all felt the same thing. And then we all prayed together and tears filled my eyes.  I knew that Venus and Loisa were the miracle that I had pleaded for.  So on Tuesday they committed to be baptized on SATURDAY!  It was so amazing!  Elder Grachev came and baptized them and President and Sister Weaver came to the baptism. I can't even describe how happy Sister Fisher and I were.  They were our miracle.  And I know that hard work pays off.  And all the Lord expects us to do is give it our all.  Then he will provide for us.  I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father.  I know that he hears my prayers.  It is a weird situation because they have been married a month (Venusand her husband). And they met online.  But we are working through things with them and she is the sweetest person I know.  And I am learning some Russian haha.  So anyway.... at the baptism President Weaver pulls me aside and says " I want to save myself a phone call."  So I knew that he was going to give me my transfer call.  So he grabs me and we walk down the hall and he puts his arm around me and says " Sister Balmforth we are going to leave you in Rochester, and give you a new missionary to train... is that okay with you?"  I looked up and just said "okay" haha I didn't know what else to say.  By that time my heart was racing and I was so scared but so excited at the same time.  I was scared because we have no one to teach at all.  Everyone got baptized haha.  So my new greenie and I have a lot of work to do. And I know that the next six weeks I will be on my knees a lot but Ii am excited and I know that Heavenly Father will bless me.  So my new greenie's name is Sister Lee!  Way cool right!  She seems great so far even though I have only been with her for like half a day. She is from California, and she is 23.  So that is a little intimidating but its all good.  I was way stressed because I still don't know Rochester that well, and I still feel like I don't know how to teach sometimes.  But last night when we were tracting we met a man who has met a lot of the sisters in the past.  He even remembered them by name, and he said "ya know, I have had a lot of questions and none of the girls have been able to answer."  So he had a lot of questions like why would God let bad things happen to good people.  So I started talking and basically saying that he has a plan for each of us and we all have to go through trials because we can't know what joy feels like unless we know what pain feels like.  And after I talked for a few minutes he looked up at me and said "hey, you re pretty good at this" then I looked at him and said "really?" haha I was really excited.  At that moment I felt like I was going to be okay.. and I can do hard things.  So it was really cool.  So that has been my life for the past week.  It was an amazing week! I  really love Sister Fisher, she got transferred to Gig Harbor.  Sister Craig is staying in Puyallup so she is doing good too.  Hope, Court, Carol, and Marilyn THANK YOU for your letters and Hope thanks for the brownies :)  I will write you all soon.  Family and friends I love you all so much!  I miss you everyday!  But I love being a missionary and sharing this wonderful message!  I know that it has blessed my life and changed it for the better!  I hope you all have a great week and please pray that Sister Lee and I can find some people to teach and baptize!  She has to have a baptism her first transfer!  Love you all.

Love, Katee